Knowledge: Root of the Middle Way


Mulamadhyamakakarika (Skt), dbu ma rtsa ba'i tshig le'ur byas pa shes rab (Tib)

Instructor: Khenpo Jampa Donden
Translator: Catherine Dalton
Review Class Instructor: Joanne Larson
Moderator: Hilary Herdman
E-mail: hilaryherdman@shedra.org

Course Format: Interactive

Required Texts:

Nāgārjuna. Knowledge: Root of the Middle Way, translated Dharmachakra Translation Group, 2009. (PDF file included with online course materials.)

Optional Texts:

Nāgārjuna. dbu ma rtsa ba’i tshig le’ur byas pa shes rab, translated into Tibetan by cog ro klu'i rgyal mtshan, early 9th cent. (PDF file included with online course materials.)

Course Description:

This course assumes no prior knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, history, or practice. The methodology of the course combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

Students will watch or listen to an English translation (also available in Tibetan for those who prefer) of the Khenpo’s commentary and teachings on the text. Students will also listen to and watch review lectures prepared by a western academic lecturer. That presentation will review key points delivered in the Khenpo’s lecture and clarify terminology and philosophical vocabulary. It will also attempt to “fill in the gaps” by placing the teaching in a broader context, including pointing out where differences exist between the traditional and western academic approaches to the text.

A moderator will lead students in discussions that will continue the learning process. Discussion forums, both moderated and student-only, allow for open dialogue to discuss questions and seek clarification.

Course Time Commitment:

Students should expect to spend approximately three hours per week listening to the Khenpo’s teachings. Approximately one hour per week will be required for the review lectures. Weekly assignments (including the Weekly Reflection and weekly discussion forum contributions) are expected to take several hours per week, and, even though this is a non-credit course, we strongly recommend that students participate in the assignments and follow the discussion forum in order to get the most out of the class. Study, review, and revision will require varying amounts of time, depending on the student’s level of interest, and whether or not the student chooses to take quizzes and exams. This is a philosophically challenging text—expect to average 10 – 12 hours of listening and studying per week, if you are doing all of the assignments.

Available Course Resources:

Course resources include:

1. Video lectures, English only
2. Video lectures, Tibetan and English
3. Audio versions of lectures, English only
4. Audio version of lectures, Tibetan and English
5. Audio version of lectures, Tibetan only
6. Transcripts of lectures in PDF files
7. Review classes in PowerPoint format
8. Root text in Tibetan and English in PDF files

Course features include discussion board, calendar, news, announcements, student profiles, and course email.

Method of Assessment:

For students who choose to do assignments and wish to be graded, grade points will be earned according to the following categories:

Weekly reflection: 30% of total available points
Quizzes: 20% of total available points
Final Exam: 50% of total available points

The total number of points available for the course is 1000. At the end of the semester, points from each activity will be added up, and a letter grade given according to the following grading scheme:

A 900 – 1000
B 800 – 899
C 700 – 799
D 600 – 699
F < 600

Quizzes must be completed by the Tuesday at 6:00 am GMT of the following week. Weekly reflections will be due in 2 weeks, or the Tuesday following the next week’s lectures, at 6:00 am GMT.

Net Etiquette:

The online learning experience may be a new adventure for some students. Even if you have had experience in an online class it is worthwhile remembering a few basic rules. These should help make the distance a little less intimidating.

  1. Write respectfully. Remember that behind every written post is another human being who deserves to be treated with dignity. Think carefully before you respond to another person's posting and avoid sarcasm and negative attacks. It is fine to disagree with another student or moderator's comment, but think how to do it in a reasoned argument. Remember that written comments sometimes seem to carry more “weight” than a similar comment in a face-to-face situation where body language, gestures, and facial expressions can allow for easier interpretation. It is very hard for a stranger to know if you are joking in a posted comment.
  2. Keep comments concise and pertinent to the topic being discussed. Again think before you write and send; take time to organize your thoughts and revise them before sending comments.  If you are quoting a source try to give exact references and avoid comments like, “I seem to remember someone saying....”.
  3. Because this class runs across a variety of time zones, responses may filter in gradually. The moderator may set time limits for certain discussion threads. Please respect these unless you have a burning question that you believe is unanswered. The moderator will respond to all posts within 72 hours. Do not repeat posts; wait for a response and then the discussion can proceed.
  4. All communication other than the non-moderated student forum should be written in complete sentences in English. Please do not use text-language and abbreviations. This is an academic forum; writing proper sentences is required.